Corn-harvester.



- H. E.' PURDY @L 3.. wpmLL.

coms HARVESTER. ArrLIoATIon man;` un. 1s, 1909.

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\ Patented Jan. v10, 1911-1.`

2 SHEETS-simu 1.

CORN HARVESTER. AIILIUA'JJION- FILED MAB.. 13, 1909.

- Patented Jan.10,1911.

haga/gars UNTTED sTATns PATENT ormoni.

IIIRAIVI E. PURDY, OF ROCKWELL CITY, ANI) ERLE W. MILLER, OEDES MOINES, IOWA,

ASSIGNORS OF FOUR-TENTI-IS T0 SAID PURDY, TWO-TENTHS T0 J. H. BRADT, ONE- TENTH TO T. W. MCCREARY, ONE-TENTH T0 E. Z.v SMITH, ONE-TENTH TO A. F. DEAN, AND ONE-TENTH TO Gf. L. BROWER, ALL 0F ROCKWELL CITY, IOWA.

CORN-HARVESTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 13, 1909. Serial No. 483,616.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HinAM E. PURDY and ERLE W. MILLER, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, at Rockwell City and Des Moines, in the counties of Calhoun and Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Corn-Harvester, of which the following is a specification.'

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for snapping and conveylng corn.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for husking, conveying and delivering corn.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for -husking corn.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved means for` driving snapping devices, conveying devices and husking devices simultaneously.

Cnr invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in our claims and illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of the mechanism, side plates, frames for said plates and a covering plate being removed. Fig. 2 is a similar plan of the remainder of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the indicated line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a crosssection on the indicated line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 isa cross section on the indicated line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the indicated line 6 6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section on the indicated line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section on the indicated line 8 8 of F ig.V 4. Fig. 9 is Aa plan of yone snapping rolly detached from the remaining mechanism..

In the construction of the mechanism as shown, the numeral 10 designates a journal or pivot adapted to be suitably supported as illustrated in our companion application executed on even date herewith and pending concurrently in the Patent Office. A gearframe l1, preferably made of metal by molding, is pivoted at one end on the j ournal 10 and extends rearward therefrom. The gearframe may be oscillated on the journal 10 and serves to support the -remaining mechanism hereinafter described. Angle-bars 12, 13 are fixed to and extend forward and rearward from the gear-frame 11 at right an les to the journal 10 and the length thereo in front of the gear-framegreatly exceeds the length at the rear of said frame. The anglebars 12, 13 are spaced apart and have their ribs vertical and parallel with each other while' their base flanges extend outwardly from the lower margins of the ribs. The

base flanges of the angle-bars 12, 13 are bolted to the gear-frame 11 and also are bolted at their rear ends to a journal bearing 15 mounted between said bars. The base flanges of the angle-bars 12, 13 also are bolted to a journal .bearing 16 connecting said bars at a point in advance of thejournal 10, but said angle-bars are not connected at any point in advance of said journal vbearing and dependence is made on the stiffness ofthe base flanges to prevent spreading of their forward ends. Journal bearings 17, 18 are fixed to and project inward from the forward end portions of the angle-bars 12, 13. Coupling shafts 19, one' of which is shown in Fig. 7, are journaled side by side in the journal bearing 16 and are formed with heads 2O on their forward ends, each of which heads is formed with a socket 21 angular in cross-section.

Snapping-rolls 22, 23 are arranged side by side and are formed with studs 24 on their rear ends, which studs are angular in crosssection and engage loosely in the sockets 21. The snapping rdlls 22r 23 taper slightly in both directions from vpoints ,of largest diameter at 25, one end portion of each roll tapering'more abruptly than the remainder. The most abruptly tapered end portions of the snapping rolls 22, 23 are journaled between their ends in the bearings 17, 18 and are formed with screws 27, 28, oppositely pitched, extending on opposite sides ofsaid bearings. All .of the peripheries of the snappin rolls 22, 23 at the rear of the screws 2 28 are corrugated or luted longitudinally. The loose connection between the studs 24 and socket heads 2O is in the nature 30 are fixed to 'and extend inward therefrom across the points of the snapping rolls and serve to direct said stalks and ears to the Vspace between the screws 27, 28. It is Vthe function ofthe screws 27, 28 to feed the stalks and ears rearwardly and cause them to be engaged between the fluted or corrugated peripheries of the snapping rolls. A journal bearing 31 is formed on and rises from the gear-frame 11 between the angle-bars 12, 13 and coupling shafts 32 (one of which .is shown in Fig. y8) are journaled side by sidein said bearing. Collars 33 (Fig. 7) are fixed to the rear ends of the coupling shafts 19 and collars 34 (Fig. 8) are fixed tothe forward` ends. of the coupling shafts 32. Husking 1011535, 36 inclose at their ends and are `fixed to the collars 33, 34 and approximately fill the space between the journal bearings 16 and 31 and extend across the Space between the webs of the angle-bars 12, 13. Intermeshing gears 37 38 are fixed to the coupling shafts 32 immediately at the rear of the journal bearing 31 and said gears are approximately the same diameter as the huskingrolls^35, 36. -A protecting plate 39 is xed' to the journal bearing 31 and extends l rearward across the to s of the gears 37, 38

' (rigs. i' and s).

Col ars 40 (Fig. 8) are mounted rigidly on rear end portions ofthe coupling shafts 32 and husking rolls 41, 42 inclosefandareY fixed at their forward ends to said collars. Similar collars and coupling shafts or pivots 43, 44 are employed to journal the rear ends of the husking rolls 41, 42 to a journal bearing 45, formed on and rising from the gear-.frame 11 at the rear of the bearingl 31. The coupling sha-ft 44 extends through and is journaled in the bear-ing 15 and is provided with a balance wheel or fly wheel 46 on its rear end. A driving shaft47 is mounted for rotation in bearings 48, 49

formed on the gear-frame 11 and extends across and beneath the angle-bars 12, 13 and husking rolls 41, 42 at the rear of and parallel with the supporting journal 10.

The driving shaft may be rotated in any Y desired manner, such as by gearing to a pinion V50y on one end thereof, as further illustrated in Your companion application above mentioned. A countersshaft 51 is journaled in a bearing 52 formed in the frame 11 and is arranged parallel with and y beneath the husking roll 42 and a pinion 53,

. is materially larger than the gear 38.

rigidly mounted on one end thereof, meshes with the gear 38. The pinion 53 preferably A bevel gear 54 is rigidly mounted on the rear end, portion ofv the counter-shaft 51 and meshes withI a bevel gear 55 on the driving shaft 47. It will be observed that the huskl i' shaft 51, the bevel gears 54, 55 and the driving shaft 47 in sequenceand, in turn, drive Vstepped in bearings 57, 58 on the gear-frame immediately above the driving shaft 47 and on the opposite side of the husking roll 41 from the husking roll 42. A bevel gear 59, fixed to the lower end of the vertical shaft 56, meshes 'with a bevel gear 60 on the driving shaft 47. A sprocket wheel 61, fixed to the upper end of the shaft 56, is connected by a conveyer chain 62 to a sprocket wheel 63y suitably mounted on a pivot 64 rising fromthe forward end portion of the angle-bar 12. The conveyer chain 62 is provided with lugs 65 adapted to extend across the space between Vthe ribs of the angle bars 12, 13 and travel, in rearward movement, directly above the snapping and husking rolls. It will be observed that the conveyer chain 62 is driven by a sprocket wheel 61, vertical shaft 56, gears 59, 60 and driving shaft 47 in sequence. Posts 66, 67 are fixed to and rise from the ribs of the angle-bars 12, 13 in parallel rows andthe u )per ends of said posts are connected longitudinally ofthe plates by bars 68, 69. Side plates 70, 71 are fixed to the bars 68, 69 and rows of posts 66, 67 respectively and form a housing or walls on opposite sidesof and'above the husking and snapping rolls. A lip 72 of the side plate 71 extends inward across that portion of the shaft44 between the bearings 15and 45 and directly opposite thereto the lower portion of the side plate is cut away to form an opening 73 (Fig. 1) through which husked corn may fall, as further illustrated in our companion application above mentioned. Throughout the remainder of the length of the side plates 70, 71 the lower margins thereof extend inwardly (Fig. 4) and serve as a partial bottom or deflectors to direct ears of corn, having husks or partially denuded, toward the line of contact of snapping rolls and husking rolls. Tubes 74 are mounted within and longitudinally of the husking rolls 36 and 42 and are fixed to the inner surfaces thereof. Husking pins 7 5, each formed of a single length ofl spring wire, are mounted on the tubes 74. Slots 76 are formed in and circumferentially of the husking rolls 36 and 42 adjacent to the tubes 74 and one end portion of each husking pin is vcurved outwardly through one of said slots. The other end portion of each husking pin extends through its tube 74 and causes a connection thereto. Slots 77 are formed in andrcircumferentially of the husking rolls 35 and 41 opposite to the slots 76 so that in conjunctive rotation of the husking rolls the hooked end portions of the pins 75 may extend outward from the slots 76 and inward through. the slots 77 at times. Y

ln practical use the' mechanism hereinbefore described is carried through a cornield preferably in inclined position so that the forward extremities of the angle-bars 12, 13 are in proximity to the ground, means for such carrying being described in our companion application above mentioned. The operative parts of this mechanism are driven by the primary shaft 47 the fork at the forward end directs corn stalks to position between the screws 27, 28; the screws feed said stalks between the abruptly tapered portions of the snapping rolls; the lugs 65 on the conveyer chain 62 hold the stalks in upright position; the liuted snapping rolls 22, 23, revolving as illustrated in Fig. 6, feed the stalks downwardly and pinch or snap off the ears of corn. The tendency is to draw the stem ends of the ears vbetween the snapping rolls and generally the major portion of the husks arecaught between said rolls before the ears are snapped off from the stems, thus partially7 at least. denuding the ears. Then the ears fall upon the snapping rolls 22, 23 or the husk ing rolls 35, 86 and are carried rearward thereon by the lugs of the conveyer chain G2. The side plates 70, 71 retain the ears-on the rolls and the inturned lower marginal portions of said plates direct the ears to the line of Contact of the rolls. The projecting portions of the husking pins 75 engage whatever husks remain on the ears and pull them downward so that the fluted peripheri es of the husking rolls may draw them away from the ears and discharge them downwardly. At the same time the-ears are revolved by the action of the husking pins and are caused to present all of their surfaces to said pins and the husking rolls. The ears are `moved downward by the lugs 65 over the journal bearing 45 and fall by gravity through the opening 73. An opening is formed in the side plate above the drive shaft 47 so that the sprocket wheel 61 and conveyer chain 62 may operate through said plate and the forward portion of said chainl extends through another opening in the forward end of the side plate. This mechanism may be oscillated and adjusted on the supporting journal 10 into level or inclined position, as to which reference is made to our companion applica tion above mentioned.

l/Ve claim as our inventionl. ln a corn harvester, snapping rolls, each roll tapered in opposite directions from a point of largest diameter intermediate of its ends, the taper of one end portion being more abrupt than the taper of the remainder, both said rolls formed with opposing screws on the most abruptly tapered portions thereof, and also formed with longitudinally-fiuted peripheries except across said screws.

2. In a corn harvester, a supporting bearing, .a gear frame mounted for oscillation thereon, frame bars mounted on said gear frame and extending across said bearing and diverging at their forward ends, said frame bars spaced apart, journal bearings located between rear and intermediate. portions of and connecting said frame bars, journal bearings located between and carried by forward end portions of said frame bars and spaced apart, snapping rolls jour naled in the latter bearings and arranged between the forward end portions of said bars, husking rolls ournaled in the first bearings and arranged between intermediate portions 4of said .bars and connected to said snapping rolls, gearing between said gear frame and husking rolls, said husking rolls each formed in sections, and intermeshing gears interposed between and fixed to said sections.

3. In a corn harvester, a supporting bearing, a gear frame mounted for oscillation thereon, frame bars mounted on said gear frame and extending across said bearing and diverging at their forward ends, said frame bars spaced apart,v journal. bearings located between rear and intermediate -portions of and connecting` said frame bars', journal bearings located between and carried by forward end portions of said frame bars and spaced apart, snapping rolls journaled at their'forward ends in the latter bearings between the `forward end portions of said bars, huskingvrolls journaled in the first journal bearings and arranged between intermediate portions of said bars and connected to said snapping rolls, gearing between said gear frame and husking rolls,

said husking rolls each formedin sections, and intermeshing gears .interposed between and lixed to said gsections, together with side plates rising from said frame bars, one of said plates being cut away at its bottom at the rear of the husking rolls.

4L. In a corn harvester, a supporting bearing, a gear frame mounted for oscillation thereon, frame bars mounted on said gear frame and extending across said bearing and divergi'ifg at their forward ends, said 7'frame bars spaced apart, journal bearings located `between rear and intermediate portions of and connecting said frame bars, journal bearings locatedk between and carried by forward end portions of said frame bars and spaced apart, snapping rolls journaled at their'forward ends in the latter bearings between the forward end portions of said bars, husking rolls journaled in the firstbearings and arranged between intermediate portions of said bars fand connected to said snapping rolls, gearing between said gear frame and basking rolls, said husking rolls each formed in sections, and intermeshing` gears interposed between and fixed to said sections, together with side plates rising from said frame bars, one of said plates cut away at its bottom at the rear of the land means for rotating said drive shaft, together .with a vertical shaft on said gearframe, a sprocket wheel on the upper end of said vertical shaft, bevel gear connections between KVthe drive-shaft `and vertical shaft, a sprocket 'wheel on Vthe 'forward end portion of oneof said frame bars, a conveyer chain on said lsprocket wheels and lugs on said chain adapted lto extend across said rolls.

I6. In a corn harvester,a gear-frame, frame bars mounted'thereon, rolls formed vin sections journaled between said frame bars,

y intermeshing vgears interposed between and fixed to the sections of said rolls, a longitudi- V nal shaft on said gear frame, a pinion on said shaft meshing with one of said intermeshing gears, a transverse drive-shaft, bevel gear connections between said shafts, and means for rotating said drive shaft, to-

jgether with a Vertical shaft lon said gearframe, a sprocket wheel on the upper end of said lvertical shaft, bevel gear connections between the drive-shaft and vertical shaft, a sprocket wheel on the forward end portion 'of one of said frame bars, a conveycr chain on said sprocket wheels and lugs on said chain adapted to extend across said rolls, shafts xed to and alining with said rolls, one of said shafts lprojecting beyond the other and outside said frame, and a fly .wheel on the extremity of the longer shaft.

7. In a corn harvester, a supporting frame, snapping and husking rolls mounted in alinement on said frame and of a combined length less than the length of the frame, side plates rising from said frame, lower margins of said plates bent inward above said rolls, a portion of the lower margin of one plate extended to form a lip, the other plate being cut away at its lower margin opposite said lip, and .conveyer devices mounted for travel longitudinally of and above said rolls.

8. In a corn harvester, a snapping roll tapering slightly throughout a major portion of its lengt-h and tapering more abruptly throughout a minor portion of its length and iuted longitudinally of its periphery through both tapers, said roll also formed with a tapering screw on its smaller end, said screw formed with a reduced journal near its center.

HIRAM E. PURDY. ERLE W. MILLER. Witnesses:

W. W. FINK, S. C. SWEET. 

